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Healing, soothing, calming: Feel better with tea

February 10, 2022 by Ivy Chan

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Visiting family. After the 12+hr flight, the first thing I did was to drink tea!

I am coming from a tea-loving culture. My people have the highest per capita tea consumption in the world with an annual total consumption of close to 7 pounds per person! Most of my childhood memories involve my grandmother with her tulip-shaped glass full of black tea. I stopped drinking tea for years after I came to the United States, only to re-discover it through my studies in herbal education for women’s health, and Ayurvedic nutrition.

I wanted to share with you, my chosen family, what I learned from my education as well as from my biological family.

https://shakingmytofu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/tea-video-1.mp4

Simple, Immune-boosting Tea

I use this tea as a base and then add some other ingredients if needed. According to Ayurvedic medicine, consuming cayenne pepper benefits your digestive system. It is a powerful anti-oxidant and is known to boost the immune system.

Ingredients
  • 3-4 slices fresh ginger.
  • Organic cayenne powder
  • Tea of choice (I love oolong or black tea, but it’s fine if you want to use herbal)
  • Liquid sweetener to taste (honey if not vegan. We use blackstrap molasses because it’s naturally rich in antioxidants, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6.)
  • Plant-based milk (optional, but it is really soothing and more satisfying, especially if you are new to drinking teas).
Directions
  • Bring 3-4 slices of fresh ginger (skin on) to a boil and simmer for approximately 20 minutes
  • Use ginger water to steep tea of your choice.
  • Add cayenne powder (to taste/tolerant level).
  • Sweetener to taste
  • Add plant-based milk (optional. To taste).

Important note: You can consume this a few times a day when feeling under the weather. However, if you have a Pitta imbalance (eg. burning digestion, overactive metabolism, red/irritated skin, feelings of anger, impatience, irritability, perfectionism, excessive heat in the body), you will want to eliminate cayenne and similar hot spices from your *regular* diet. It is probably fine to have this tea from time to time but refrain from using cayenne if you intend to drink it every day.

Tea for upset stomach

This tea is great for nausea, upset stomach, and indigestion. Instead of brewing tea, I use Rasa Original Brew. I know it’s supposed to be a coffee alternative, but adding the other ingredients, it’s more like tea to me. I like this mix because it has dandelion, along with eleuthero, chaga, and shatavari (probably one of my fave adaptogens for women). The root of the dandelion is rich in inulin, a type of soluble fiber that supports the growth and maintenance of healthy gut bacteria in the digestive tract. Dandelion root is traditionally used as a gentle digestive bitter to improve digestion and relieve nausea. It is also an amazing detoxifier, helping the liver, maintaining hormone balance, supporting the kidneys with its gentle but effective diuretic effect.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp lemon balm
  • 1 tsp chamomile
  • 1 tsp peppermint leaf
  • 1 tsp Rasa Original

Directions

Place the loose teas into your French press. Brew for around 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want your tea. 

Cough-Bee-Gone Tea


Mullein (or, “Verbascum thapsus”. I love its botanical name!) has long been used to help with coughs and other respiratory issues, as well as sin conditions like eczema. It helps with respiratory issues because of its antispasmodic and expectorant properties. If you are not vegan, the addition of honey to this tea can be very helpful in soothing coughs. I make a big batch and keep it throughout winter in a glass jar. When you want to make it, just take 1-2 tsp of the below mix and brew for 5-10 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 part chamomile
  • 1 part marshmallow leaf and flower
  • 1 part mullein leaf
  • Organic, “ethical” honey to sweeten (optional)
  • Plant-based milk (optional)

Winter Pick-Me-Up Tea


I love grey skies. I know it’s not “normal”- if you, like pretty much anyone I know, dislike winter months, or if you are in need of a pick-me-up, this tea will be helpful. Lemon balm is traditionally called “the gladdening herb,” because it brightens the spirit. Again, I make a big batch and store it in my glass containers.

Ingredients

  • 1 part oatstraw
  • 1 part lemon balm
  • 1 part spearmint
  • to be brewed along with licorice tea
  • 1 tsp Rasa Original

I find that I need to steep this for a longer period, like 15-20 minutes. Sometimes I stir in some sweetener, and warm coconut milk. Hope you enjoy!

Moon Balance Tea

I was influenced by Eva-Maria Dillitz and Aviva Romm, when I made this tea. I absolutely love it with this Shatavari mix from Your Super. I think it goes wonderfully with the rest of the ingredients. I use that mix every day, sometimes in oatmeals, yogurts, and sometimes in teas and lattes.
Ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon lady’s mantle leaf,
  • 1 teaspoon silverweed leaf,
  • 1 teaspoon raspberry leaf,
  • 1 teaspoon yarrow flowers (or leaves)
Directions
  • Bring the water to a boil. Place the herbs in your Tea Pot, or French Press*. Pour the boiled water over, and infuse for 10 minutes. I add the Yoursuper mix at the very end, and stir.

*Again, if you don’t have French Press or a Tea Pot, feel free to use any strainer you would use with loose teas/herbs.

 

 

 

Before you head to the kitchen pantry, did you know I started to accept clients again?! I’m slowly organizing the various parts of my life under one roof. Feel free to find out about my offerings, discounts, and articles (including links to recipes) here.

Thank you so much for considering supporting my blog. The best way to show support is by sharing, liking, commenting. You can also follow Shakingmytofu on Instagram and Facebook. However you support me, please know I am truly grateful.

 

 

Editor’s note: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions regarding a medical condition before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programme. This is especially important if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, and/or breastfeeding. 

 

 

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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: herbal, herbs, plant based drinks, recipes, tea

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Welcome! My name is Ivy. I am an academic by training and a foodie at heart, in a small but mighty body. Classical with a twist, married to the love of my life, a proud mum of two little lions, and one little human. We have recently moved to the gorgeous state of Washington. I am back to a 4-year school to study Ayurvedic nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine. When I have time from school and our two-year-old, I like to read, write, bake, and consume more Medjool dates and dried figs than anyone I know.

Shakingmytofu aims to make plant-based life convenient, affordable, and adaptable for everyone. I will be happy if I can bring a little more light, health, and peace to the daily life. Feel free to spend time, have a look at the recipes, lists of plant-based sources (from snacks to clothing), images and articles. Contact me anytime with queries, suggestions, and collaboration ideas at shakingmytofu@gmail.com or simply by filling out the form below. Look forward to hearing from you!

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I am an academic by training and a foodie at heart, in a small but mighty body. I am married to the love of my life, and a proud “furry-mum” of two little lions. Want to collaborate? Contact me→

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